Vacuum cleaner implement tray

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner having a canister including a base and a hood cooperatively defining an internal storage space in which is removably received a tray for holding implements, such as tools adapted for use with the vacuum cleaner. The tray is supported above the filter bag space and is readily removable therefrom when the hood is moved to an open position. The hood and tray are provided with cooperating releasable locking means for locking the tray in a closed position to the top surface of the hood, in which position the implements are accessible for use by the operator. The tray includes a depending wall which rests on the hood surface in the implement-exposing arrangement and which is adapted to cooperate with suitable supports for retaining the tray above the filter bag space in the storage position.

United States Patent [1 1 Westergren et al.

[451 Dec. 18, 1973 VACUUM CLEANER IMPLEMENT TRAY [75] Inventors: GeorgeA. Westergren, White Bear Lake; David G. Koland, Sandstone; Stanley R.Crooks, Shakopee, all of Minn.

[73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

[22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1972 [2]] App]. No.: 277,321

521 US. Cl. 15/323 [51 Int. Cl A47] 5/00 [58] Field of Search 15/323,257; 312/1404 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,253,2945/1966 Waters l5/323 3,296,648 l/l967 Schaefer l5/323 PrimaryExaminer-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-James S. Nettleton et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A vacuum cleaner having a canister including a base and ahood cooperatively defining an internal storage space in which isremovably received a tray for holding implements, such as tools adaptedfor use with the vacuum cleaner. The tray is supported above the filterbag space and is readily removable therefrom when the hoood is moved toan open position. The hood and tray are provided with cooperatingreleasable locking means for locking the tray in a closed position tothe top surface of the hood, in which position the implements areaccessible for use by the operator. The tray includes a depending wallwhich rests on the hood surface in the implement-exposing arrangementand which is adapted to cooperate with suitable supports for retainingthe tray above the filter bag space in the storage position.

17 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEBUEC 18 1915 3778.863

- SHEET 3 or 3 VACUUM CLEANER IMPLEMENT TRAY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to vacuumcleaners and in particular to implement-holding trays for use incanister type vacuum cleaners.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the conventional canister type vacuumcleaner, a hood, or cover, is movably carried on a base to define afilter bag space and to house the suction'motor-fan. It is furtherdesirable in such canister vacuum cleaners to provide means for storingimplements, such as cleaner tools including dirt pickup heads andnozzles, for interchangeable use with the wand means of the vacuumcleaner. One example of a vacuum cleaner provided with such a toolholder is that shown in R. S. Waters U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,834. In R. S.Waters U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,294, a door is provided on the canisterhousing to permit selective insertion and removal of the tools relativeto a storage space within the housing. In

O. L. Allen U.S. Pat. No. 2,747,214, a removable tool holder for usewith a vacuum cleaner is disclosed as including a plate member providedwith holding members. In H. W. Schaefer U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,987, acanister vacuum cleaner is disclosed wherein the hose is selectivelystored within the housing.

Devices are known for snapping together plastic elements, such as cases,and similar holders. Illustrative examples of such snap-type holdingmeans are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.:

2,833,522 Michacls Railing Mounting and Fastener Therefor 3,285,637Taussig Snap Lock Device for Plastic Parts 3,361,483 Main ct al.Ornamcnted Wheel Structure 3,586,158 Muscariello Hingless Razor CaseSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improvedvacuum cleaner construction wherein an implement holding tray isselectively carried in a storage position within the canister, or in anexposed position on the top of the canister hood to provide facilitatedaccessibility to the implements carried on the tray for facilitatedoperation of the vacuum cleaner with the different implements.

The canister defines an internal filter bag holding space and means forsupporting the tray above the filter bag space for readyremoval-therefrom and installation of the tray on the upper surface ofthe hood. The supporting means in the canister permits free upwardmovement of the tray therefrom while precluding lateral movement of thetray to maintain the tray in overlying relationship to the bag holdingspace.

The tray and hood define cooperating male and female connector meansremovably locking the tray to the upper surface of the hood in theimplementexposing position. The locking means includes a cooperatinghook and catch structure and a resilient finger adapted to releasablymaintain the hook and catch in an interlocked arrangement while yetpermitting release thereof by forceful separating movement, by theoperator, of the tray relative to the hood.

The tray defines a peripheral depending wall having a lower edge adaptedto rest on the top surface of the hood in the implement-exposingposition. The wall edge further cooperates with the support means in thecanister to retain the tray against undesirable lateral movement in thestorage position. The tray may be provided with means defining aplurality of compartments for storing the different implements with thecompartments extending downwardly to substantially the level of theperipheral wall bottom edge.

The connector means on the tray is disposed laterally inwardly of theperipheral wall and laterally outwardly of the compartment means. Whenthe tray is mounted to the top surface of the hood, the connector meansare effectively hidden by the peripheral wall for improved aestheticeffect. The tray may be provided with a suitable lateral recess to passthe hood latching means provided for maintaining the hood releasablysecured to the base of the canister.

The tray is supported on the base to project upwardly from the plane ofthe top edge thereof into the downwardly opening concave hood foroptimum utilization of the space within the canister. The trayeffectively overlies substantially the entire bag holding space. Theimplement holding tray of the present invention is extremely simple andeconomical of construction while yet providing the highly desirablefeatures discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of avacuum cleaner provided with animplement holding tray embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 2-2 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the means for securing thetray to the top of the hood;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the method ofconnecting the tray to the hood;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation with portions broken awayillustrating the locking of the tray to the hood;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one side of the canisterbase and tray illustrating the movement of the tray into the storageposition on the base;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the arrangement ofthe tray in storage position on the base;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the vacuum cleaner with thetray in the storage position on the base;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view looking downwardly into the filter bagholding space illustrating the relationship of the tray to the supportmeans on the base; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the vacuum cleanerwith the tray in the storage position in the canister and with the hoodin the closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED- EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as shown in the drawing, a vacuum cleaner generallydesignated 10 is shown to comprise a canister vacuum cleaner having abase 11 and a hood 12, the hood being hingedly mounted to the base byhinge means 13 for selective disposition in a closed position, as shownin FIG. I, and in an open position, as shown in FIG. 8. The base andhood cooperatively define an upper storage space 14 and a lower bagholding space 15. A conventional filter bag 16 may be disposed in spacefor receiving dirt laden air delivered through a supply hose 17connected to the bag by means of an adapter 18 mounted on a connector 19on the base- 11. The hood 12 is releasably secured to base 11 in theclosed position of FIG. I by a suitable catch means 20 on the basecooperating with a latching portion (not shown) of the hood. The hoodmay be provided with a suitable manipulating handle 21 for swinging thehood from the closed position of FIG. 1 to the open position of FIG.

8 and reversely, as desired.

The vacuum cleaner may be provided with an ON- OFF switch 22 and aperformance indicator lamp structure 23. Further, a foot pedal 24 may beprovided for controlling the operation of the vacuum cleaner motor-fanunit 25 by the users foot. A handle 26 may be provided on base 11 forcarrying the entirecanister 10 when desired.

A tray 27 is provided for carrying a plurality of implements, such ascleaning tools, 28 in a storage position within the canister, as shownin FIGS. 8 and 10 or an exposed position, as shown in FIG. 1, whereinthe implements are accessible for use by the operator in the normaloperation of the vacuum cleaner. As-best seen in FIG. 9, tray 27includes a peripheral depending wall 29 defining a substantiallyco-planar lower edges 30 adapted to rest on the upper surface 31 of thehood in the implement-exposing position. The wall 29 further cooperateswith support elements 32 in the front of the base 11 and supportelements 33 at the mid-portion of the base 11, as illustrated in FIG. 9,to carry the tray in overlying relationship to the bag holding space 15for free movement upwardly therefrom, such as in transferring the trayfrom the storage position of FIG. 8 to the implement-exposing positionof FIG. 1. The support elements 32 and '33 define a plurality ofupwardly opening slots 34 and 35, respectively, for precluding lateralmovement of the tray in the storage position by engagement thereof withthe depending wall edge 30, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The supportelements 32 and 33 may be formed integrally with the side wall 36 of thebase. As best seen in FIG. 8, the tray side wall 29 defines, at thefront center of the tray, a recess 37 exposing the hood catch 20 forengagement by the hood.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the tray 27 extends substantially fully overthe bag holding space 15 and is substantially congruent therewith.

Hood top surface 31 is defined by a raised portion 38 of the top wall 39of the hood having a peripheral side surface 40 spaced inwardly from theside wall 41 of the concave, downwardly opening hood. At its front end,the side surface 40 defines a cam surface 42 forwardly adjacent a slot43 in the top 39 which defines at its rear end a forwardly facing latchshoulder 44. The tray is provided with a plurality, herein four,depending hooks including a pair of front hooks 45 and a pair of rearhooks 46 which, as shown in FIG. 9, extend to downwardly of the plane ofthe tray wall edge 30. The hooks open rearwardly to have hookedengagement with the locking shoulder 44 of the hood top wall when thehooks are inserted through the slots 43 and move rearwardly with thetray edge 30 resting on the hood top wall 39, as shown in FIG. 5. Thetop wall 39 further includes a pair of rear slots 47 defining forwardlyextending locking shoulders 48 cooperating with the rear hooks 46 tolock the rear portion of the tray to the hood top wall 39.

Means are provided for releasably retaining the hooks in theinterlocking association with the hood top wall, as illustrated in FIGS.2, 5 and 10. More specifically,'the retaining means includes a springfinger 49 associated with each of front hooks 45, which is disposed, asshown in FIG. 2, normally laterally slightly inwardly of the hook 45 andspaced forwardly therefrom. The finger 49 is adapted to slide againstthe cam surface 42 as the hook 45 is brought into the slot 43 in aforward position and thence moved rearwardly to engage the hook with thelatch shoulder 44. As the finger 49 engages the outermost forwardposition of the cam surface 42, it is deflected to a maximum amount andas the tray is moved rearwardly, the finger slides along the surface 42to a relaxed position at the rearward end of the cam surface as shown inFIG. 2. Thus, the spring fingers 49 serve to releasably retain the hooks45 in engagement with shoulders 44 and the rear hooks 46 in engagementwith the shoulders 48 as the result of the resistance of the fingers tooutward deflection required to permit the hooks 45 and 46 to moveforwardly in the respective slots 43 and 47. However, when it is desiredto remove the tray from the implement exposition position of FIG. I, aforceful urging of the tray forwardly suitable to deflect the fingersoutwardly along the cam surface 42 permits the forward separation of thehooks from the locking shoulders 44 and 48 whereupon the tray may beraised vertically from the hood top wall to complete the separationthereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the spring fingers 49 may be formedintegrally with the hooks 45 and more specifically, may comprise anintegral molded portion of the tray which may comprise a moldedsynthetic plastic structure.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rear edge 50 of the tray wall 29 may be raisedsomewhat above the plane of the edge 30 to rest on the raised surface 31of the hood top wall. Thus, the tray is secured to the hood in a firm,effectively positively maintained association while yet the tray may bereadily removed from the hood when desired by a forceful forward urgingthereof as discussed above.

The tray includes a plurality of wall portions defining a plurality ofcompartments 51 adapted to conform to and receive the differentattachment implements and tools of the vacuum cleaner as illustrated inFIGS. I and 8. The compartment forming walls 52 may extend, as shown inFIG. 10, downwardly to approximately the level of the bottom edges 30and 50 of the tray side walls so that the implements are effectivelyrecessed within the tray. The base supports 32 and 33 thusly dispose thetray in the storage space 14 within the hood portion of the canisterabove the filter bag holding space 15 when the hood is in the closedposition, as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the storage space is utilized withoptimum efficiency to permit storage of a large number of implements asdesired. By arranging the tray to project upwardly from the base 11,facilitated removal of implements from the tray without removing thetray from the base, such as in the arrangement of FIG. 8, may beeffected. Because of the simple resting engagement of the tray with thesupports 32 and 33, however, the tray may be readily removed from thestorage position when desired for secured mounting thereof on the hood,as shown in FIG. 1.

As each of the tray and securing means may be formed economically by themolding thereof from relatively low cost synthetic plastic, theimplement holding means of the present invention is extremely simple andeconomical of construction while yet providing the highly desirablefeatures discussed above.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

We claim: 1. In a vacuum cleaner having a canister including a base anda hood cooperatively defining a storage space, means for selectivelystoring within said storage space a plurality of implements adapted foruse with the vacuum cleaner or supporting the implements in anaccessible position on said hood exteriorly of the canister, saidimplement storing and supporting means comprismg:

a tray defining an upper implement carrying surface; a peripheral,depending wall on said tray defining a substantially planar bottom edge;

means on said base defining upwardly opening slots for receiving andsupporting spaced portions of said tray wall edge; and

means defining cooperating male and female connectors on said tray andhood for releasably locking said tray on the top of said hood with saidwall edge supported on the top of the hood.

2. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid slot means on the base defines a plurality of spacedperpendicularly related shoulders for engaging the side of said trayperipheral wall adjacent said edge to retain the tray substantiallyagainst lateral displacement in said storage space.

3. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid hood comprises a downwardly opening concave member and saidsupporting means on said base supports said tray to extend upwardly fromsaid base into the concave hood space.

4. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid connector means on said tray are disposed inwardly of saidperipheral wall to be hidden from view when said tray is carried on saidhood with said wall edge supported on said top of the hood.

5. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid slot means on said base are formed integrally therewith.

6. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid male and female connector means are formed integrally with saidtray and hood.

7. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid connector means comprises a male connector means defined by a hook,a female connector means defined by a slot removably receiving said hookand having a latch shoulder engaging said hook to retain the tray on thehood, and locking means for holding said hook in retaining associationwith said latch shoulder including a spring finger on one of said trayor cover elements, and a cam surface on the other of said elementsdisposed to guide the finger to a locking position wherein removal ofthe hook from the female connector means requires a camming of thefinger against the resiliency thereof whereby said finger cooperateswith said cam surface to releasably maintain the hook engaged with saidlatch shoulder.

8. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid connector means comprises a male connector means defined by a hook,a female connector means defined by a slot removably receiving said hookand having a latch shoulder engaging said hook to retain the tray on thehook, and means for releasably maintaining the hook engaged with saidlatch shoulder.

9. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid connector means comprises four sets of cooperating male and femalemeans, each set comprising means defined by a hook, a female connectormeans defined by a slot removably receiving said hook and having a latchshoulder engaging said hook to retain the tray on the hood, and meansadjacent two of said sets for releasably maintaining the hook engagedwith said latch shoulder.

10. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid tray upper surface defines a plurality of upwardly openingimplement receiving compartments extending from adjacent the plane ofsaid peripheral wall bottom edge.

11. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid tray upper surface defines a plurality of upwardly openingimplement receiving compartments extending from adjacent the plane ofsaid peripheral wall bottom edge and said connector means on the trayare disposed laterally inwardly of the peripheral wall and laterallyoutwardly of said compartments.

12. In a vacuum cleaner having a canister including a base and a 'hoodcooperatively defining a storage space, means for selectively storingwithin said storage space a plurality of implements adapted for use withthe vacuum cleaner or supporting the implements in an accessibleposition on said hood exteriorly of the canister, said implement storingand supporting means comprising:

a tray defining an upper implement carrying surface;

a peripheral, depending wall on said tray defining a substantiallyplanar bottom edge;

means on said base for receiving and supporting spaced portions of saidtray wall edge; and

means defining cooperating male and female connectors on said tray andhood for releasably locking said tray on the top of said hood with saidwall edge supported on the top of the hood, said base and hood furthercooperatively defining a filter bag space subjacent said storage spacefor removably receiving a filter bag for receiving and holding dirt fromdirt laden air delivered thereto, said base supporting means beingdisposed laterally of and substantially at the top of said filter bagspace.

13. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 12 whereinsaid supporting means are disposed at four corners of said filter bagspace.

14. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 12 whereinsaid tray fully overlies and is substantially congruent with said filterbag space.

15. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 12 whereinsaid base is provided with a catch for releasably engaging a portion ofsaid hood for holding said hood in closed position on said base and saidtray includes a laterally outwardly opening recess for exposing saidcatch for engagement by said hood holding portion.

16. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 12 whereinsaid base includes side walls defining an upper edge, said filter bagspace being dison the base is arranged to permit free movement of thetray upwardly therefrom and effectively precludes lateral movement ofthe tray thereon, for facilitating access to the filter bag space suchas for replacing the lilter bag.

1. In a vacuum cleaner having a canister including a base and a hoodcooperatively defining a storage space, means for selectively storingwithin said storage space a plurality of implements adapted for use withthe vacuum cleaner or supporting the implements in an accessibleposition on said hood exteriorly of the canister, said implement storingand supporting means comprising: a tray defining an upper implementcarrying surface; a peripheral, depending wall on said tray defining asubstantially planar bottom edge; means on said base defining upwardlyopening slots for receiving and supporting spaced portions of said traywall edge; and means defining cooperating male and female connectors onsaid tray and hood for releasably locking said tray on the top of saidhood with said wall edge supported on the top of the hood.
 2. The vacuumcleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 wherein said slot meanson the base defines a plurality of spaced perpendicularly relatedshoulders for engaging the side of said tray peripheral wall adjacentsaid edge to retain the tray substantially against lateral displacementin said storage space.
 3. The vacuum cleaner storing and supportingmeans of claim 1 wherein said hood comprises a downwardly openingconcave member and said supporting means on said base supports said trayto extend upwardly from said base into the concave hood space.
 4. Thevacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 wherein saidconnector means on said tray are disposed inwardly of said peripheralwall to be hidden from view when said tray is carried on said hood withsaid wall edge supported on said top of the hood.
 5. The vacuum cleanerstoring and supporting means of claim 1 wherein said slot means on saidbase are formed integrally therewith.
 6. The vacuum cleaner storing andsupporting means of claim 1 wherein said male and female connector meansare formed integrally with said tray and hood.
 7. The vacuum cleanerstoring and supporting means of claim 1 wherein said connector meanscomprises a male connector means defined by a hook, a female connectormeans defined by a slot removably receiving said hook and having a latchshoulder engaging said hook to retain the tray on the hood, and lockingmeans for holding said hook in retaining association with said latchshoulder including a spring finger on one of said tray or coverelements, and a cam surface on the other of said elements disposed toguide the finger to a locking position wherein removal of the hook fromthe female connector means requires a camming of the finger against theresiliency thereof whereby said finger cooperates with said cam surfaceto releasably maintain the hook engaged with said latch shoulder.
 8. Thevacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 wherein saidconnector means comprises a male connector means defined by a hook, afemale connector means defined by a slot removably receiving said hookand having a latch shoulder engaging said hook to retain the tray on thehook, and means for releasably maintaining the hook engaged with saidlatch shoulder.
 9. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means ofclaim 1 wherein said connector means comprises four sets of cooperatingmale and female means, each set comprising means defined by a hook, afemale connector means defined by a slot removably receiving said hookand having a latch shoulder engaging said hook to retain the tray on thehood, and means adjacent two of said sets for releasably maintaining thehook engaged with said latch shoulder.
 10. The vacuum cleaner storingand supporting means of claim 1 wherein said tray upper surface definesa plurality of upwardly opening implement receiving compartmentsextending from adjacent the plane of said peripheral wall bottom edge.11. The vacuum cleaner storing and supporting means of claim 1 whereinsaid tray upper surface defines a plurality of upwardly openingimplement receiving compartments extending from adjacent the plane ofsaid peripheral wall bottom edge and said connector means on the trayare disposed laterally inwardly of the peripheral wall and laterallyoutwardly of said compartments.
 12. In a vacuum cleaner having acanister including a base and a hood cooperatively defining a storagespace, means for selectively storing within said storage space aplurality of implements adapted for use with the vacuum cleaner orsupporting the implements in an accessible position on said hoodexteriorly of the canister, said implement storing and supporting meanscomprising: a tray defining an upper implement carrying surface; aperipheral, depending wall on said tray defining a substantially planarbottom edge; means on said base for receiving and supporting spaCedportions of said tray wall edge; and means defining cooperating male andfemale connectors on said tray and hood for releasably locking said trayon the top of said hood with said wall edge supported on the top of thehood, said base and hood further cooperatively defining a filter bagspace subjacent said storage space for removably receiving a filter bagfor receiving and holding dirt from dirt laden air delivered thereto,said base supporting means being disposed laterally of and substantiallyat the top of said filter bag space.
 13. The vacuum cleaner storing andsupporting means of claim 12 wherein said supporting means are disposedat four corners of said filter bag space.
 14. The vacuum cleaner storingand supporting means of claim 12 wherein said tray fully overlies and issubstantially congruent with said filter bag space.
 15. The vacuumcleaner storing and supporting means of claim 12 wherein said base isprovided with a catch for releasably engaging a portion of said hood forholding said hood in closed position on said base and said tray includesa laterally outwardly opening recess for exposing said catch forengagement by said hood holding portion.
 16. The vacuum cleaner storingand supporting means of claim 12 wherein said base includes side wallsdefining an upper edge, said filter bag space being disposedsubstantially fully below said base edges, and said tray being supportedby said supporting means to extend upwardly from the level of said edgeinto said storage space within the hood.
 17. The vacuum cleaner storingand supporting means of claim 12 wherein said tray supporting means onthe base is arranged to permit free movement of the tray upwardlytherefrom and effectively precludes lateral movement of the traythereon, for facilitating access to the filter bag space such as forreplacing the filter bag.